title: Exploring family environment characteristics and multiple abuse experiences among homeless youth.
abstract: This qualitative study used data from the Social Enterprise Intervention (SEI) pilot study, a comprehensive vocational training program with integrated clinical services for homeless youth. In-depth interviews were conducted with 28 homeless youth participating in the SEI study to explore their perceptions of family environment characteristics and abuse experiences. The constant comparative method was used to analyze transcripts from in-depth interviews with the youth participants. Emergent themes related to family characteristics include home instability, abandonment, and caregiver substance abuse. Abuse-related subthemes include intrafamilial abuse, caregiver abuse, rejection, and deprecation by caregivers. Grounded theory is used to interpret findings and develop working hypotheses to guide future studies of multitype maltreatment among homeless youth.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Southern California, USA.
authors.forename: Kristin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Ferguson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002670:Child, Abandoned / Q000523:psychology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D054541:Family Conflict / Q000523:psychology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D018453:Homeless Youth / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D015141:Los Angeles; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012059:Rejection, Psychology; D012931:Social Environment; D014829:Vocational Education; D055815:Young Adult